The potential role of azithromycin in the treatment of prophylaxis of toxoplasmosis.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

The potential role of azithromycin in the treatment of prophylaxis of toxoplasmosis.

Int J STD AIDS. 1996;7 Suppl 1:18-22. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/96230316
Chang HR; Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, National; University of Singapore, Singapore.

Abstract: Infection with Toxoplasma gondii is the most common parasitic infection worldwide with an estimated prevalence of 1-2 billion people. The risk of developing severe toxoplasmosis is higher for immunocompromised individuals and fetuses of mothers who have acquired a primo-infection. The current therapy of choice for toxoplasmosis is the synergistic combination of pyrimethamine and sulphadiazine. This therapy is highly effective but its use is complicated in immuno-compromised individuals due to adverse secondary effects. In addition, since pyrimethamine is potentially teratogenic, its use is not recommended during early pregnancy. Clindamycin, a lincosaminide, in combination with pyrimethamine has been shown to be an acceptable therapeutic alternative in patients who are unable to tolerate pyrimethamine plus sulphadiazine. In the search for new, effective compounds with less adverse or toxic effects, recent efforts have focused on the new macrolides and the azalides. Here, the results of the investigations and, in particular, the theoretical considerations for the potential use of azithromycin in the therapy of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals are reviewed.

Keywords: Animal Antibiotics, Macrolide/*THERAPEUTIC USE Azithromycin/*THERAPEUTIC USE AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/PREVENTION & CONTROL/ *THERAPY Clinical Trials Female Human Mice Pregnancy Toxoplasmosis/PREVENTION & CONTROL/*THERAPY JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIAL
961030
M96A1423

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